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Toze Chu: a braided river (Treks 1 and 2)

Water filtration does not usually change the taste and is helpful in cleaning cloudy sediment-filled water and reducing chemicals. However, filters are ineffective in protecting against viruses.

Generally, water from small streams in Ladakh is clear, but will need chemical treatment for protection against bacteria and viruses. Buy an adequate quantity of solution or tablets before the trip. Use vitamin tablets (vitamin C is effective, particularly against iodine), powdered fruit-flavoured drinks or neutralising tablets to improve the taste of the treated water. Although you will use cloudy and turbid water from a big river at a few camps on some treks, filtering is not the most important gear you need for a trek in the region.

For more information on water treatment check www.high-altitude-medicine.com, www.katadyn.com and www.msrgear.com.

Health and fitness

You do not need to be extremely fit to go on a trekking trip, but you do need to choose the right option. The various styles of trek, the distance covered, flexibility of stages and diversity of routes make trekking possible for people of different physical strengths and age. Trekking is a matter of walking – you don’t need any particular skills to do it! But it has to be said that the fitter you are, the easier the trekking will be, so some preparation in advance is essential. You can train for long walks in Ladakh anywhere: go for longer and tougher walks than usual, carrying on your back the sort of weight you expect to carry on trek. Ideally, of course, your preparation for Ladakh would take place in a mountainous area though this is rarely feasible.